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Round 2 - Exposed kitchen layout! Bam!

13 years ago

Hello again! I posted two very different layouts a few weeks ago, and gained some valuable insight from all of you, so again, thank you!

Now I'm back for round 2, after hours of rearranging, back and forth, and exhausting variations of Options A and B (and C, D, E, F...), we're finally honing down on a kitchen layout. Amazing what you can do with scissors and scotch tape in the late hours of the night.

The winner of the first round? OPTION A (the visible kitchen, open to living room). I fought it hard, but everyone else invested in the project prefers this layout overall.

Things I'm giving up: a 'hidden' kitchen from front entry, a true walk-around island, large walk in pantry.

Things I'm gaining: 6' galley to accommodate lots of traffic, a kitchen more central to the home, ability to supervise other living spaces and pool.

My main beef with Option A was its exposure to the front entry door. Looks like I will have to find other creative ways to 'block' the kitchen view, or make it more visually pleasing from the front entry. So far, three options: 1) building galley wall extending out to island (becomes large peninsula) - defines LR space, blocks some of kitchen, and provides needed storage in galley, 2) build archway between LR and kitchen to draw eyes to some architectural design instead of straight into kitchen, 3) turn stair and create a foyer. Not sure yet if this last option is architecturally possible, but even if so, it has been determined that it will have to be a much later project b/c of the cost, and will also make our LR smaller, which I don't like. Just not a lot of space to work with. I welcome any comments or suggestions regarding this little debacle.

So pushing forward.

Here are 2 (now very similar) iterations of A, aptly named A1 and A2.
-We decided to put the pantry near the garage entry, and the desk hidden back near the breakfast area (good for homework near breakfast table or supervising young kids on computer. also less visible mess).
-We needed to create a large space in the breakfast area, otherwise we will regret the congestion later on - also b/c it's a pass thru to the piano room. The current area drawn 11'x12' should be sufficient for our growing family (larger than the space we currently use, 8x10). This means we had to remove any wet bar/cabs on the left wall. If we put something there, we'd need to omit the desk.
-Pocket doors between the breakfast and dining - which when open, works well for a kids and adults tables for large gatherings.
-If we outgrow the dining, or when kids are older, we may turn the dining into a homework room or other living space, and put a large dining table in the piano room.
-I fought for the luxury of a prep sink, so I could have separate washing and prep/cooking areas.
-Looking for best function. Also keep in mind what "view" of certain appliances will be seen from the front entry. So, which do you prefer?

First, the existing:

A1 - prep sink in island

A2 - main sink in island

Also, I do not know where to put the following:
-microwave (in pantry or island?)
-toaster oven (do we still need this if I am getting an Advantium?)
-warming drawer (to right of range?)
-landing spot for diaper bags/purses/papers? (the smallish desk in the back may have to suffice, but it's far from garage)

Other questions:
-shape of island (curved front?)
-prep sink in A1, in center or on end... or where in the counter run in A2?

THANKS in advance for all your candid feedback!

Comments (3)

  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Congrats on moving forward. The dining side looks like it'll be both attractive and very functional. Before deciding on island size and shape, have you placed all your living room furniture--to scale--on your drawings?

    As for the where to put the prep sink, where do you want to be chopping onions? At the island watching TV and chatting with people sitting there or on the back wall by the stove while looking out a window?

    Where do you want the clanking and splashing associated with cleanup? Away from the living room, or while you watch TV? These are basic questions based on your preferences.

  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    In most cases I like a prep sink, but in your particular layout, I'd do Option 1A minus the prep sink and leave the island unobstructed. It will give it a more furniture look and feel to it with less mess visible from the front door, keep the noise of kitchen prep/cleanup separate from the LR and give you a view to the backyard for these tasks. It looks like you have a wide counter run to the back so instead I'd look for a larger sized sink with an integrated cutting board.

    I'm not quite getting why the need for 3 distinct eating places, but for the island seating I'd change it to do 3 along the back and one of the end so it's more conducive for conversation.

  • 13 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Thanks, Rosie - good to hear from you again. I know you were not a proponent of Plan A from the start, so thank you for your graciousness. You, in particular, gave me some pretty smart advice all around, and helped me to carefully think through some bigger picture ideas - the flow of the home, and possibilities with the piano room (which could now be a sun/dining/music room). I like that flexibility.

    Hopefully our architect will draw up something proper with dimensions too. And I'm seeing all these cool 3-D visuals on GW, wonder if I'll get to see something like that eventually. It sounds like both of these drawings work, though, right? Leaning towards not having the main sink in the island, mostly b/c of mess.

    valinsv - no prep sink? awwwww.... haha, ok, maybe it's not necessary, and I see your point. Maybe I could compromise and tuck it closer to the wall. Just don't want to wish I had one later, if I don't include it in the plans. It would be nice to have a longer stretch of uninterrupted counter. Thanks for the advice about the island seating also. I'm thinking one level island. May not use it for eating until kids get older, but that's just my initial thoughts.

    Anyone else have ideas about where to put all my extras? :)